HC asks insurance company to pay Rs 46L to accident victim kin

A private insurance company has been directed by the Delhi High Court to pay more than Rs 46 lakh to the family member of a goldsmith who had died in a road accident here.
The High Court upheld a Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT) order on January 18 last year that had directed the insurance company to pay Rs 46.30 lakh to the victim's family.
Dismissing an appeal of ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co Ltd's against the tribunal order, Justice Suresh Kait concurred with the findings of the Tribunal.
The high court made it clear that the company had already deposited 50 per cent of the award amount with the Delhi High Court branch of the UCO Bank in May last year and ordered to deposit the remaining amount within four weeks.

"I note, pursuant to order dated May 8, 2012, the insurance company deposited 50 per cent of the award amount along with proportionate interest with UCO Bank, Delhi High Court Branch...Thus, the appellant (insurance company) is directed to deposit the balance award amount along with proportionate interest accrued thereon with UCO Bank... Within four weeks from the date of receipt of this order," the bench said.
While calculating the award amount, the Tribunal had relied upon the salary certificate issued by Soni Jewellers in Sriniwaspuri where the 32-year-old victim used to work.
As per the salary certificate, the victim used to draw a salary of Rs 25,000 per month which was also approved by his family members.

In its order the Tribunal had calculated Rs 44,79,936 for loss of dependency, for funeral expenses Rs 25,000, towards love and affection Rs 75,000 and for loss of consortium Rs 50,000.